I'm still around

I look at this periodically and wonder if I have anything worth blogging. Others have commented that Facebook is quietly killing the blog. That may be true. I really like Facebook: quick one liners and everyone's updated.

However, I still get frustrated when my favorite bloggers don't update! I really learn alot from some of their deeper posts and thelogical arguments.

Maybe I've found a New Year's Resolution!!!

Blogging

It is so much easy to write about the daily things at school than it is to write about my thoughts and feelings now that I am home.
I wish I could be as transparent and as forthcoming as all the blogs I read regularly. It's just not in me I guess.
So to answer my original comment -- I guess the public and private will not become one and we will never know which is the real me!

Is it considered an update

if you really don't say anything?!?

So much to say and so little time to say it ;-)

Weekly Communion

I am convinced this is the right way to go. I have only received on direct feedback and it was negative. But I did share the article from the Report (the insert to The Interlink) on Sunday. Of course, the person who made the comment was not in attendance!!

I think communion was a beautiful thing that Jesus left us. It is such a personal and intimate way to remember what he did as he "came, saw and conquered".

Tuesday

Just thought I should put something down
I complained that I didn't think God was talking to me during the month of June ?!? Well as always He hears.
God has been speaking to me through scripture, blogs, readings, life...you name it I'm hearing it and not just once but three and four times!!!

Rain, Rain

I hate to complain since I am on the south shore of Lake Erie not the Gulf of Mexico, but this rain is cold and heavy and dark and not enjoyable. I love a good thunderstom but this is not it!

Part 2

That was an abrupt ending yesterday, but Jenni came down and I got to leave.

Jack had a very good guitar lesson. He likes the instructor. Since Jack is only six we're going week to week with the lessons. It's going to be interesting to see how we handle homework, practice, dinner, tv (gotta have it!). Then we have soccer coming up soon so that's two more scheduled times.

Back to the day with the Bishop. I'm still not completely sure what the point was. I think he has to have so many contact hours with the conference and this fulfilled that role. The stated purpose was for the three groups (Elders, Deacons, Local Pastors/Associate Members) to elect representation to the cabinet (non voting I believe) in order to work together more cooperatively. The morning program was more of an introduction of the presenter and a lecture. The afternoon program was led discussion in our table groups.

I had felt all spring that I was drifting alone in a sea of desolation. At school I had a few conversations (one in particular) that helped. During the discussion time, I shared about that conversation and the very next topic reiterated everything I had just shared!!! Yes, God is talking again. I am desperately trying to listen and to be faithful to his leading.

I want to thank all those who take the time to listen.

Killing time

I'm killing some time waiting for Jenni to finalize an insert for the bulletin.

I have to leave soon though, since Jack has his first guitar lesson tonight. This is going to be very interesting since he does not take instruction well. He likes to sit back and observe until he has it all figured out and then he is the 'expert'. Having a one-on-one music lesson with a stranger is going to be something beyond his range of experience!

I've been busy since returning from school. I've kept up the reading pace and have enjoyed two books by Mark Driscoll among others. I have created two mix tapes to use as an intro into contemporary Christian music at my church along with the song books to go with them. Which entailed finally purchasing a CCLI license.

Other bloggers from WPA conference have shared about the meeting with the bishop last week.

First Grade update

Jack didn't enjoy the first day of first grade -- he said it made his brain hurt!
Also, I did not send a note regarding his need to ride the Y van after school. So at 2:10, I received a phone call "Mrs. Condon, Jack seems confused - He says he is to ride the Y van." I replied, "He's not confused, he is to ride the Y van"!!!! So after sending an e-mail, everything was okay with the school. Jack wasn't even concerned by the time I picked him up.
The second day wasn't much better. He absolutely hates new routines. I also heard him tell his dad last night that he hopes he doesn't get moved to a new room after four days like last year (they had to have a fourth class due to enrollment)!
Thanks to Ann, some of his favorite pants from last year are now shorts, so he was very happy with his clothing choice this morning (they have to wear dress pants and polo shirts).

First Grade

Jack is off to his first day of first grade.

He is one of those kids who likes to know what is happening before he joins in. He was very concerned that he would not be able to navigate the differences between kindergarten and first grade. Everything from which door the kids enter the cafeteria through to does the teacher greet them and help them empty their book bags every morning. Also, knowing at least four kids (one of them is best friend and a girl from last year who was very happy to see him at open house) did not ease the concern that he wouldn't know 'anyone'.

Will blog about his first day tomorrow!

Church

Between needing to do research for the proposed coffee house style-worship at my church and the suggestion I find a faith community to worship with, I spent the weekend at alternative worship sites.

I went to The Haven at Kingsley, which includes a full band, round table seating (plus couches along the back walls), a brief message and this week communion on Saturday. I'm not a big fan of full band worsip music. It was very casual and the regulars shouted out to the band during worship. The service went about 75 minutes.

On Sunday, I went to McLane's Church in a Bar held at the Cell Block. I got there early and had time to talk to someone I had met before and had time for a donut. At 7:00 it was announced that the service would begin, so get your refreshments and take a seat. There were only three persons involved in the service. The pastor and two guys on acoustic guitar led a one hour worship service.

The coffee house didn't really suit me, the church in the bar felt better. I didn't get to stay after for dinner and fellowship, maybe next time!!

catchup

It's been three weeks, thought I'd have my Duke SCOS stuff back. I'm interested in what comments my final papers drew.

real world

I'm finally getting back into the 'real world'. The group finally went to "The Haven" to experience how they do 'coffee house' worship. It's something they want to start at State Line. Also, the Monday night Praise and Prayer group have started praying every morning (from wherever each person is) for State Line. They are praying for health and growth! It's so great how God works everything out. I have made it my goal for them to make the church strong without worrying about who they have or how often they get them as pastor. My evangelism paper (as I am sure they all did) started with saturation and directed prayer, and they are doing it on their own!!!

Lectionary

I had promised my congregation 'more Jesus' this summer. I usually default to the Old Testament. Those stories are so rich and so detailed. The first three weeks or so, I wanted to give up on Matthew and go to Romans. But, no, I stuck with the original plan and am working through Matthew.

Being at school was so wonderful. I am so enjoying these last several sermons. They were pretty short since I didn't want to clutter the simple message that was being given. Also, I'm really enjoying the worship helps from GBOD. I'm hoping this person continues to write for a while. It's almost like we're looking at everything from the backside.

For example, last week's text included the mustard seed. It's always taught that 'a little faith makes for a large ___", but this teaching showed how that little seed can create a huge problem. Be careful what you plant.

This week, when Jesus tells Peter 'little faith'. It's not the fact that he has so little faith, it is that with a little faith Peter was able to leave the boat!

I'm hoping that the sermon is longer this week and that I am able to communicate what I am trying to communicate. I'm also going to try using guided imagery for the first time. On top of that, the organist is off for the second week in a row and I'm not going to do a mix cd for worship. We're going a'capella this week! They should be okay, we've only had the tracks for about six months.

Vacation wrap up

Jack and I had a wonderful vacation. We went to the Erie Zoo and watched a movie. We went putt-putting and swimming at the Y. We went to the Cleveland Zoo. Had to work on Saturday so that I had a bulletin and directions to Darien Lake and South Byron, NY. Spent two days at Kingdom Bound. Went with a six year old, so our experience was probably different than most!!! Had to leave fairly early on Sunday since I was staying at my cousin's house and her family had to work Monday morning. We stayed fairly late on Monday but still left before the headliners to be back in Erie to sleep for back to the real world on Tuesday!!

Vacation

I actually feel like I am having a vacation this year. Spent two days at my mom's unwinding and catching up with Jack. Went to the Erie Zoo, shopping and watched movies one day. Went putt-putting and to the East Side YMCA swimming one day. Went to the Cleveland Zoo one day. Not sure what we're doing today. Am here getting my bulletin and downloading music for Sunday. Then we're off to Kingdom Bound at Darien Lake for two days. Won four tickets and couldn't find someone to go with us on such short notice so Jack and I are going to use them over two days!!! That means we won't start back to work and day camp until Tuesday!!

underestimating

Well, I got a B- in Efird's class!
I guess I should have thought of b,b,b,b!!!

Update

I survived Efird's test, there are two questions I know I missed and three that I gave incomplete answers for. I still have hopes of getting a C in the course.
I finished my evangelism paper (again), printed it, and got it ready to turn in. THEN I read the instructions. Stick to page limits of 6-8 (I have 10), be concise (I have three stories that are extraneous). Well, I am doing a final edit for the fourth time!! So far I have a solid B in this course.
I'm holding out hope for B,B,B,C for the year.

Efird

Well, the test is tomorrow. I gave in and began studying in earnest tonight. Hopefully, it not too late and I will actually retain the material and get a decent grade. 29/50 is where I am starting. The final is the other 50 points of the 100 -- I have a very long way to go!!

Reformation

We're coming into the home stretch. I finished one of two papers for Reformation (thanks Ev for the input). Everything else is ready except for Efird's test tomorrow and you know how I feel about that !!! We have a study session today, hopefully, I'll retain some of it and it will be what is actually on the test ;-)

update

I dreamt about my paper all night. Some of the edits I do not remember, however, I did add an entire page about the youth since the orginal paper talked about the children but not about the youth. I now have to polish it to make sure it flows smoothly. Life goes on!

finito

Well, the kick butt Evangelism paper is finished. It is exactly 8 pages long. Hopefully, it meets the criteria for a final exam. It shows a knowledge of the material presented and then attempts to incorporate that at a local church level with a tie-in to my current appointment which is my understanding of the criteria for this paper.
Going to bed now. Do not want to even think about tackling the Reformation paper. The presentation was wonderful and easy to follow, however, I'm not sure I can spit it back out in an academic manner. I do have five days to work on it and only it (besides Efird's final and you know how I feel about that!!!)

the home stretch

Well, I've got two papers completed -- happy with them, they should be solid B's.
I also had a meeting with my Evangelism professor and basically spilled my guts about my wretched life (sorry, Kevin), but came away feeling good about writing the paper for the class. In fact I came back and wrote five kickbutt pages. Now if I can only fulfill the rest of the requirements and come up with an equally kickbutt three page ending!!!
That leaves Reformation which I feel so not ready for, luckily I have another week before that one is due.
That only leaves Efird's final exam on 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Romans and whatever part of Philippians we cover. I resent mightily that we have to not just learn the material (he's an excellent Bible expositor) but how to study for and then take his exams. I have totally fallen back on the grace of the system that says no one fails. By the way, my attitude on that totally annoys even me, but I need to realize that passing is passing and there are so many other things that go on here during the month of July -- all good and edifying!

fully engaged

Well, I think I've gotten over the funk that settled over me later last week and especially the weekend. I have written minus the final read through one paper and am working on the second one. The third paper is a more thorough look at one of our prework papers (to include what we've actually learned in class, not just a book review) that we won't get back until tomorrow. I'm heading into the home stretch 'feeling strong Don Pardo!'

duh

If you were given the choice of writing two papers for grades or those same two papers PLUS a five page final paper on pastoral care and knowing that you have a B+ on the first paper -- would you take the final? I choose not!!
We were commenting today that it seems to be the year for papers, only one class has exams - the others all have papers of some sort: book reports, reflection on seminars, essay answers, etc. It's been a weird kind of year as I've noted on facebook 'I am' comments.
Overall, I think this is a good year. Some don't feel they're learning much, but every little bit helps especially if you can weave it all together for personal growth that sees fruit in how you pastor. (Have to remember that for one of my papers!! it's a good statement)
Gotta get some work done, I think I am going to the last day of the VBS I've been helping with.

Efird's test part two

Well, I got my final grade on that paper and it's up 4 points, but still a horrible score!

March Out by Fort Pastor

I think these words are so telling:
Genre/Lang. : Christian
Web source for the latest music: onlylyrics.com
I know I said I’d help you,
but I forgot that I’d rather not
You see my time it’s just not free
If I help you I can’t help me
To get the stuff I really need
Like a wicked sweet van and massage chair and a MOTU

Pre CHORUS
We can make excuses from the start
Tip-toeing around what’s really hard
Sit at home and cry about what’s on TV
Or walk out and be the change you want to see
March out…

I know I said I’d give some time,
but That’s just easier than lies
You see my life it’s so busy
If I thought of you I’d forget me
You see I’m my own charity
I could give to you
but its much more fun when it’s all about me

CHORUS We can make excuses from the start
Tip-toeing around what’s really hard
Sit at home and cry about what’s on TV
Or walk out and be the change you want to see
March out…

www.onlylyrics.com

SCOS week three

Got Efird's midterm back today. Pretty much got the same score I got on the Year One midterm, except I had to turn in back to him since he hadn't graded the question I answered on the back. Hopefully, I'll get some more points.
The midterm in the Evangelism class was just as horrible as we thought it would be. There were two long essays that, of course, did not sound anything like the study sheet I wrote over the weekend. However, I did do better on remembering who and where the quotes came from and I think I got the bonus question correct.
I just wish we'd get some of the papers from our other classes back, especially the one that is the basis for our final paper in Reformation.
I volunteered to help with the VBS for the church that I have been attending here. It was fun, the people are great. However, since I hadn't committed, I really didn't have a job. But those of you who know me, know that didn't stop me! I took over the registration and actually found one of the ladies to 'hand it over to' since I won't be there tomorrow. We have to attend a two hour lecture and write a paper for Wednesday.
Going to go research a paper for Friday!

week two

I have been horrible about updating my blog. School has just been crazy, one paper was cancelled due to our load--but our 2nd midterm turned out to be a whole weekend of what turned into an almost take home test. We have to choose two of five essay and he will choose 5 of 10 short answer. And most of us realized that as much as we enjoy the course, we're still not sure of the concept!!

Tonight was the Bull's game and fireworks. The Bulls won over Rochester and the fireworks were great.

Will try to put up more later.

Week One down

I have been at SCOS for one week now. We have not gotten any of our prework back yet. We are of course learning a lot from Mickey Efird. We have three new professors this year, so getting to know them and what they expect and their views is much of the first week. Can't say for sure if this is happening.
We have at least three students who were unable to attend last year and have joined our class as third year students. We seem to have lost only one from second year. Of course, there are always mixed year students who come and go, some you meet, some you don't.
The regular groups are still together. I had lunch with two groups (two times/one meal!) yesterday and then attended movie night and went for dessert with a group. We are going to a ten year old church plant tomorrow pastored by one of our professors (evangelism).
Speaking of evangelism, the working definition for this class is so far beyond my definition and what I've been preaching this last year, it's crazy. However, the last three sermons I preached before I left were searching for the answers I think I will get in this class. God is Good!!

Thumper

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all!

life

It just continues....retreat with the Bishop, racial inclusiveness training, pandemic training, kindergarten graduation, Annual Conference, Summer Course of Study, not to mention doctor appointment (Jack and I on seperate dates), blood work, eye appointment, dentist (again Jack and I on seperate dates), sermon prep, music selection due to organist being out, two papers still due for school, all the prereading that is not getting done!!, trying to make Jack feel like we had a summer together with a two part camping trip on Memorial Day weekend, plans to see Prince Caspian tomorrow, need to clean the house as it is getting left behind, yard work is starting, praying for guidance.

sacred and secular

My newest default if nothing is on tv is VH1 classics. Last night, we caught a segment about Meatloaf and they were singing the chorus from "Paradise by the Dashboard Light". When Meatloaf sang out "I'll love you forever - I'll love you to the end of time". My six year old started singing it and said "Hey, I know that song". Me: "From where?"

We finally figured out that we was confused. He didn't know Meatloaf -- He knew Jesus!! The words were the lectionary text from the 18th "I'll be with you to the end of time"!!!

Gotta love that kid.

Renewal Baptism

On Pentacost Sunday, what would be more fitting that a service of renewal baptism? That's what we did. My son who is six had asked about it and a member of the congregation had been asking questions about baptism etc to share with a friend, so it seemed to be even more appropriate to do it now.

I went up with Jack to the bowl of water and then knelt at the altar. After I went to sit back down he remained at the altar. I found this a little curious, but didnt' say anything until much later.

On the way home from church, we called my mother to wish her a happy mother's day. I heard Jack say "We washed ourselves clean", so she must have asked how church was. Later I commented that "You really do listen when I talk (during the service)". That gave me the opportunity to ask him about staying at the altar. He said he was asking God not to take away his (Jack's) mercy! His teacher has made several comments about Jack being 'merciful' and he really likes that. So somehow he got the idea that being a new creation -- being washed clean -- would take away his mercy! I let him know that was a really good thing and God would not take that from him. God would only take away the bad stuff.

Friends/Mentors

I just had the most wonderful surprise. The pastor who mentored me into the ministry stopped by unexpectedly to talk to my boss about an issue in his life and we got to talk for 40 minutes or so. It was wonderful to see him looking so well. I will not mention names since he has just left the blogosphere, but some of you will know to whom I am referring.

Beyond the fact that he is no longer in ministry, it was just like old times discussing everything from what we are doing in general, to specifics of the churches, to the denomination as a whole, to advice from a mentor to a mentee. It was just great to have that connection again.

Those of you who know please pray specifics, those of you who don't please pray for wholeness.

Mars Hill

Yesterday, the children's message addressed the Ascension (of course, only Jack was there! Cheyenne was home spending alone time with mom and Ariana didn't want to stay so Grandma took her home after Sunday school). We then moved on to Mars Hill and Paul's sermon. Hopefully, the main idea behind the message came across (God can be known, but not by us debating with others or conversely beating them over the head with the Bible, but by being authentic Christians). I felt the entire service went well, that it represented a typical Sunday at State Line. Which was my goal once I found out my mentor would be attending worship - something he hasn't been able to do in the three years he's been my mentor and I've been at State Line.

on a side note, he has a beautiful singing voice and just blessed the congregation during each of the songs (we do six). Personally, I had not been thinking about his singing voice and was completely thrown off for the first few bars of the first hymn before I settled back to enjoy it. Personally, that is why I love going to District/Conference events to hear all those male voices! It's not something you hear in the average church worship service from my experience.

This week being Pentacost I hope to explain the third person of the Trinity in terms that can be understood even by the children as we have been having problems with this: ie are we talking about God the Father or God the Son? Who died and are they still dead? and what do you mean 'the holy spirit'? It's been wonderful having the children, but it sure does stretch a person!! I am ending the service with a renewal baptismal service. As we talk about receiving the Holy Spirit and how that experience is repeatable, we'll move into how water baptism is not repeatable but Jesus received water baptism before the Spirit (dove) fell upon him so let's remember our baptism as we open ourselves up to receiving the Holy Spirit.

The only question I have right now is about the music. Our musician will be out with family for Mother's Day. I was thinking of doing a contemporary set (sort of like the babbling experienced at Pentacost!), but haven't yet gotten into picking the songs and arranging them. Also should it be a set or should we do four songs in place of the normal four hymns? Lots to think about on top of sermon prep, etc!!!!

District Worship

I listened to Dr. David Jeremiah and fully intended on using the Mars Hill discourse for the sermon on the 27th. However, at District Worship today Rev. (Pat) Harbison used the text of Mary at the tomb on Easter (she preaches one sermon four times in the district each month and this was her 'after Easter' sermon) and said something that really resonated with me and hopefully with my congregation.

When Mary goes to get the disciples and the two follow her it says, 'he saw and believed'. We always have assumed he believed in the resurrection, he believed that Jesus did what he said he would do -- but what if he believed that Mary was right when she said someone had stolen the body!! How does that change our perspective of Easter morning? I think this is a very important subject to spend time with.

I also think that the Mars Hill text will preach on Ascension Sunday. So I'm going to put those notes away and work on the other text!

Also, I've written how the Kid's Club is falling apart between snow days and illnesses - well now we're dealing with school work and spring stuff. We won't be exploring 'coffee house church' tonight, but on the plus side I get a night off since Praise and Prayer was also cancelled due to lack of expected attendance. Jack and I spent the weekend outside enjoying the weather, so tonight I'd love to do some spring cleaning - the kitchen is very cluttered and needs a good scrubbing. But I'm thinking there'll be a push to go to the park on our bikes! (I might actually get in shape early this year - I bought a new bike - a woman's bike that you actually sit up on and I love it!)

update

I was just sitting here upset because my favorite blogs are not updated and thought -- well, neither is yours!!

I heard Dr. Jeremiah on Monday as we came home from praise and prayer - the only time I get to hear him and he was teaching on Paul's Mars Hill sermon which is the lectionary text for the next sermon I'm doing. So I listened to the entire message on line yesterday and got a few good points including the quotes from the Greek poets!

The Seder service on Monday only had one other youth in attendance. The others all either forgot and made other plans or had homework etc. But the five of us had a good time and the youth said she got a lot out of it. One of the other adult leaders (who was there two year's ago when I used the same Haggadah) said this time around she actually understood what was going on. So I feel God knew what he was doing (doesn't he always!) when he made the group so small.

I got distracted yesterday at my day job and forgot to check to see if one of my members was still in the hospital. She was -- and today I have my meeting with DCOM so I can't go see her. Hopefully, she will be released this afternoon - but that means I won't have visited her and I really should have. She is one of my hard cases.

If you are anywhere in Western PA, the weather is gorgeous. It's the first truly beautiful day. Yesterday was warm but windy so it didn't feel as nice. Today is just plain pleasant!!

3:16 finite

We finished the three part series on Max Lucado's book "3:16" and the congregation absolutely loved it. Using Max's cues I hit them pretty hard with looking inside themselves to make changes, to accept Christ and all that means, and then to be a beacon to others.

I ended the series encouraging them to take what they had learned and hopefully took into their hearts to share with others. I also encouraged them to read the book for themselves. Then I handed out copies of the "Simple Steps" booklet based on Bill Hybel's "Just Walk Across the Room" and told them it's not a step by step tool to evangelism, but Bill sharing with them how simply being a Christian can open doors to someone's salvation.

I meet with DCOM on Friday re my recertification and this will be the 'high point' that I have been asked to share. The low point is still ongoing and will not be shared here!!

3:16

I'm not a big reader of popular Christian writers, but I saw a suggestion in a leadership magazine to use Max Lucado's 3:16 as a sermon series after Easter. Well, I checked the book out of the library, read it, and decided to not do six sermons, but three. I did week two yesterday and they absolutely loved the part about trading hearts with Jesus - we do not become like Jesus, but we have his heart and thus are sin free. God only has one child and it's not us, but by changing hearts with Jesus, we can become like him. But all this is prefaced upon the fact that we recognize that we are sinful creatures who need a savior.

darn

I just tried to post a huge update and it got lost. Sorry to anyone who actually comes on here, but I'm not redoing it!!

snow, snow, and of course more snow

I used the same title since this time it was real! Erie got over 23 inches of snow in a two day period plus a little more on the third day! Most everything was cancelled in the area including church services. It was a good thing because I ended up with a killer case of strep throat - this completely surpassed any other case I ever had (which is only about three or four!!). My right ear and lymph glands were involved. Even before my throat completely shut down (due to the pain) my sinuses were killing me. I spent most of Sunday taking ibruprofen to no avail and laying on the couch. My six year old was pretty good, but did experience a case of cabin fever. -- We never have two days in a row off. We barely ever have a Saturday off due to his playing Y sports.

I did get in to see my doctor on Monday (which was the first time I have ever missed work at this job due to illness!) but she didn't like the fact that my throat was so inflamed and the lymph glands were involved so she sent me to see an ENT in case I had an absess! Luckily I didn't, but waiting to get into see him, getting my prescription filled and picking up Jack at the Y afterschool program really through off my antibiotic schedule. I didn't get to take any medication until after 5pm. Needless to say, this meant two days without food, which probably was contributing significantly to my headaches (which I still have by the way). I did fudge on the time a little - taking the second one ten hours later, not twelve, so that by skipping staff meeting for which there was already office coverage I was able to take the third does ten hours after that. That third dose is the one that usually starts letting you feel better. Plus I could almost, note the almost, swallow without crying - so I was able to have breakfast. I also drank one of Jack's gaterades thinking that wouldn't hurt things either. Boy was I wrong - it went straight through me. Luckily, I was staying home and not heading out on the road immediately after like normal mornings!

Mike, my husband, was wonderful through all this. He came home from third shift to get Jack ready and delivered to school on time. He also took me to the first doctor's appointment. I didn't want him to miss out on 4 hours of double time plus a regular shift so I went to the specialist on my own. Probably a good thing since I was there over two hours!

Well, hopefully, tomorrow I'll be further along on the healing road since I have a clergy council meeting!

snow, snow, and of course more snow

Well, the calendar never disappoints. There is always a major snow storm on or just before February 27. As a child, half the kids didn't come to my birthday party because their mom's wouldn't drive in the snow and the other half had to leave early! But it is so pretty and so quiet when it's like it is right now.

The staff at work is going out for their monthly meal - this one is breakfast. So I'll be leaving as soon as my cover comes in. Still don't know what I will order - french toast? pancakes? omelet? a big breakfast?

Just realized that when I pick up my prescription (which is another long story!) tonight, I should probably get a cake for tomorrow!

About the prescription, since I was ten I have had psorisis and about twelve years ago one of my doctors finally prescribed a creme that works wonders. Three or four applications and the skin is soft and cleared up. However, I use so little of it that I end up throwing away most of a tube one year after the expiration date and getting a new one. Well, this time I waited a little longer since this winter has been so mild and it was way past its date and no longer was effective. So I called the doctor to get a new prescription. However, they couldn't find it in my charts, then they said they did, but it was so old the doctor would have to approve it - it wasn't just an automatic renewal. In the meantime I had been checking in at the pharmacy to see if it was ready and it wasn't - after 10 working days!! But the pharmacist saw where I had gotten this creme before. So yesterday, I called the doctors office to find out what was happening. Well, the girl originally said that the order was marked complete after the doctor approved it but before it was called in. OK! Then I got another call that they couldn't even find what I was talking about in my charts. So again not having the tube with me (it's home in the medicine cabinet waiting to be disposed of!) I gave them what information I had including that the pharmacist had a record of it. So they called her and found out that the current doctor had never prescribed it and they didn't even have a record of it. Then I go to the pharmacy and they didn't have the right size tube so I have to wait one more day for their shipment to come in!!!

Well, it's breakfast time. Got distracted by work (imagine that!!!)

outreach

We have completed our annual January/February study - this year we did "A Life God Rewards" by Bruce Wilkinson. Instead of having a church party with the same 14 people, we are having an outreach dinner.

We will hold it at the church and invite all of our inactive members, constituents, neighbors, and other unchurched people. Hopefully, a social gathering will help us to make some connections with people who seem to want to call SLUMC home, but haven't quite made the commitment to attend.

updates

Well, I guess I should give you an update on the problems with the electricity.
1) All the lightbulbs blew out over the pulpit area.
2) The surge protector for the copy machine burned up.
3) The computer hard drive blew a part, Jeff was able to replace it for $35!
4) The furnace had control issues (not sure what needed done)
5) The kids cd/tape player got fried, but the dehumidifier did not (odd because they were both plugged into the same outlet and the dehumidifier cord was black!)

Overall we were very lucky. We have sinced installed more surge protectors and replaced the damaged items and repaired the furnace.

Electricity

Church had to be cancelled on the 13th as we had no electricity and no heat!

Friday I had forgotten to plug in my phone so Saturday morning early I plugged it in. Then my husband had to use it since we were in the car to visit his mother and he decided maybe we should call her!!! Well, somehow, he managed to kill the battery so on Sunday morning I did not receive any phone calls. I went to church turned on the heat - didn't hear the pipes creaking - went downstairs to check the heat setting since we had had issues earlier in the year with one or the other not working when both or only one were on, yeah figure that one out - turned the light on to go to the bathroom and they came on but within ten seconds went down to 'glow'.

So I got my phone to call the trustee chair and that's when I found out that 1) the battery was completely dead 2) I had missed two phone calls 3) church had been cancelled already!! So I drove 36 miles round trip just to sort the mail!!!

Am waiting today to see what Penelec has to say about the situation. If we don't have power then Kid's Club and Praise and Prayer will have to be cancelled. Tonight was supposed to be dinner and fun for the kids - I've got chicken in the crockpot here at work. Let's see how we deal with the aroma all day!!! But if there is no power, then I guess my husband will be eating good!

I got to hear the new worship director and the pastor at the church I work as an Administrative Assistant. The only other time I was able to attend worship here since the pastor arrived was Christmas Eve 2006, put he didn't deliver a message - he read his annual Christmas story. So yesterday was something new. However, it again underscored why the secretary should not be a member of the church - I had three people want to discuss church business - one caused me to miss the final worship song which was one of my favorites!!

baptism, again!

Well, I told you when I started this blog that I probably wouldn't keep it up. I come to blogspot every day to read my favorite posters, but seldom if ever feel I have anything to share!!!

I was asked to again address Methodist baptism and since this is Baptism of the Lord Sunday, why not!!! Hopefully, I can coherently express our belief so the people understand it - this will be the third time I have preached on this subject but the first that I won't be reading the doctrine from "By Water and the Spirit" - Thanks to Dr. Jeremiah (a staunch Baptist) I have some illustrations and input from the new youth leader here at my 'day job'. I will however be reading two passages - one from Augustine and one from Wesley - as background.

Plus, personally I have been struggling with this subject for over a year. I always feel like an apologist rather than an evangelist for Methodist Baptism when I speak about it. I've been trying to wrap my own mind around those issues that always raise questions in general conversation.